His ExcellencyProfessor Abdullah bin Rukaib Al-Shammari
Rector of Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy
Scientific Adviser of the Executive Office of the Gulf Cooperation Council States for the Ministers of Health

Praise be to Allah, prayer and peace to His Messenger Prophet Muhammad,

HE Prof. Tawfeeq bin Ahmed Khoja- the Director General of the Executive Office of the GCC Council of Health Ministers.

HE colleagues; Member State representatives in the workshop on the labor force in the disciplines of Dentistry

Dear Guest,

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

I am pleased that we are celebrating on this day the opening of this workshop (GCC Dental Manpower Symposium) in cooperation with the Executive Office of the Gulf Cooperation Council States for the Ministers of Health. I welcome all the distinguished guests who have come from inside and outside the Kingdom for their attendance and participation in this workshop. This workshop is organized by Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy.

RCsDP is considered one of the tributaries of advanced learning in the sector of higher education in Saudi Arabia, which contributes effectively in serving and supporting the development of dental programs through graduating qualified students in the various health disciplines.

In order to achieve our mission and goals, RCsDP offers many educational courses, workshops, scientific meetings, and preventive health programs that are offered to the community in partnership with different health authorities in GCC. This workshop concerned with identifying the titles and job descriptions in the disciplines of Dentistry. There is no doubt that health services in the Kingdom are currently witnessing a rapid growth in the Dental profession. Moreover, it becomes comparable to those in the developed world, especially in the field of dentistry. RCsDP places a great emphasis in terms of providing and supporting oral health and dental programs in overall oral health promotion in the GCC. However, given the reality of the situation; the dental diseases/problems are continuously increasing such as tooth decay and gum disease especially in children. This issue requires everyone to pay more attention to such problem from a preventive perspective. We know the importance of prevention to get rid of diseases that might affect the mouth and teeth, in particularly tooth decay, this can be achieved by the activation of preventive programs and health education programs. In RCsDP, we are working tirelessly to activate this approach through cooperation with the various educational and health sectors, whether in the Kingdom or in the other gulf countries.

Finally, I pray to God that all the activities of this workshop to be crowned with success and to achieve the desired interest and to benefit the public, under the guidance and support of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; who does every effort in order to support and take care of all the health services and sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia- our beloved country. I would also like to repeat my thanks and appreciation to HE Prof. Tawfeeq Khoja, my colleagues in the Executive Office for their fruitful cooperation with us, and all the members of RCsDP for their outstanding efforts that have been devoted in preparing for the preparation and holding of this workshop. Our last prayer, all praises are for Allah.

His ExcellencyProfessor Tawfeeq bin Ahmed Khoja
The Director General of the Executive Office of the GCC Council of Health Ministers

Praise be to Allah, prayer and peace to His Messenger Prophet Muhammad,

HE Prof. Abdullah bin Rukaib Al-Shammari, rector of RCsDP

HE colleagues; Member State representatives in the workshop on the labor force In the disciplines of Dentistry

Dear Guest,

Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

In this blessed day, I am honored to attend the opening of this workshop on Oral Medicine and Dentistry that is held in the generous host; Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy and under the direct supervision of His Excellency Prof. Abdullah Al-Shammari, the rector of RCsDP and a scientific adviser to the Executive Office. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Executive Office of the Gulf Cooperation Council States for the Ministers of Health; I am pleased to extend my deep thanks and gratitude for this generous hosting of the workshop and for the efforts of His Excellency and the staff for the good work preparation, precision, and organization. I also welcome our dear guests, the Member State representatives in the workshop, and RCsDP that has been credited after God in the activation and strengthening of this program in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which reflects the achievements and tenders offered by the member states in the Council.

Such efforts seek to change the culture and trends of the community and to increase attention to oral and dental health care, in addition to enrich the programs of dental awareness. I commend the tireless efforts of the directors and heads of departments of oral and dental health sections in ministries in the GCC countries. The oral and teeth diseases existed since ancient times, but these diseases have not received this intense interest until recent times that accompanied the population and construction boom and led to change the usual patterns of behaviors and dietary habits of many population.
In the fifties of the last century, incidence of tooth decay in industrialized countries has risen. In the view of the negative impact of this threat on public health for the members of these communities, in addition to the heavy financial burden of treating these diseases, many societies have rushed to strengthen their labor force in Oral Medicine and Dentistry and the rehabilitation of their abilities towards public health concepts. Also by implementing preventive programs and projects for therapeutic oral care and dental health, ultimately it led to a significant decrease in infection rates for these diseases in Europe. During the last thirty years in the Middle East, the percentage of tooth decay in children has not changed in the age group between 6 to 13 years, despite the increase in the provision of health care for oral and dental diseases. But in the GCC countries more than 90% of the population suffers from many dental diseases. Studies have shown that the decay rate has increased over the past 15 years. Dental treatment is considered to be expensive and a major burden on some countries due to the high prices of medical materials and medical devices. The amount of the required materials to be provided to secure the treatment of oral and tooth diseases exceed the potential of the ministries of health, due to the expansion of the problem. Neglecting oral and tooth health has a negative impact on the performance of the individual and his/her participation in the community, as well as the growing cost of treatment.

My dear colleagues, on this day you are drawing the correct road map and contributing efficiently in determining the parameters of the strategic plan that is required to formulate and determine the titles and job descriptions of necessary medical competencies. In closing, I repeat my thanks to my brother, His Excellency Prof. Abdullah Al Shammery, Rector of RCsDP and the scientific adviser to the Executive Office for monitoring the implementation of this committee and for his benevolent efforts and continuous support. I would also like to extend my thanks to all the committee members for their sustained efforts and for the representatives of member countries. Hoping all efforts will be crowned with success.

Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP)

The march of the RCsDP has Kicked off under the name the College of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Riyadh, under the approval of HE the Minister of Higher Education, No. 15359 and the date of 09/25/2001 corresponding to 8/7/1422H

The college was granted the private accreditation under the approval of the Minister of Higher Education No. 35-1-27184 and the date of 11/11/1424H

The study at the college began at the beginning of the second semester of the academic year 1424-1425 corresponding to 2004-2005, the educational activities have kicked off on Saturday 16/12/1424H Corresponding to 07/02/2004

The name of the college was modified to Riyadh college of Dentistry and Pharmacy under the approval of HE the Minister of Higher Education, No. 12849 and the date of 23/4/1426H

The college was granted the general accreditation under the approval of the Minister of Higher Education No. 5760 and the date of 1/2/1428H

The college was granted the final approval under the approval of the Minister of Higher Education No. 17343 and the date 05/04/1428H

The name of the college was modified to Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy under the approval of the Minister of Higher Education No. 63717 and the date of 8/9/1429H. the following three colleges have been licensed:

Riyadh College of Dentistry (Male)

Riyadh College of Dentistry (Female)

Riyadh College of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences (Male / Female)

The colleges were granted the General Public License, the private license, and final license under the approval of the Minister of Higher Education No. 64908 and the date 02/07/1431H, No. 6430 and the date 18/01/1432H, and No. 52531 and the date of 11/5/1433H

RCsDP obtained the institutional and academic accreditation from the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) for the period from May 2010 to April 2017, as the first colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to obtain this accreditation in the private sector

Mission

Dedicated teaching, excellent training, outstanding research and provision of quality care for the society.

Vision

To become one of the most preeminent higher educational institutions of learning locally, regionally and internationally.

Objectives

Graduating competent health professionals to meet the needs of the society.

Participating in integrated services in health specialties to the society.

Engaging in scientific research in health disciplines that benefit the society.

Providing graduate study programs in health specialties.

Developing disease prevention and health promotion programs for the community in cooperation with other health professionals.

Providing continuing education programs for health professionals in various specialities through conferences, meetings and workshops.

It approved for establishment in the 66 meeting of the Executive Body of the Health Ministers Council for Cooperation Council States, Which was held in Riyadh on 02-04 April 2007, corresponding to {14-16 Rabl’l 1428H} as one of the committees that operate under the umbrella of the Council.

Goals:

Emphasis on preventive services for oral Health and strengthen efforts responsible for the planning and management of Oral dental services applied by Ministries of Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Implementation of development plans for the programs of oral Health in the GCC countries.

Develop a Gulf plan for the prevention of oral diseases.

Building Data Base for Oral Health of the Gulf Cooperation Council, through the use of facilities occupied by Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy as a scientific advisor to the Committee therefor Executive Board of the Health Ministers Council for Cooperation Council States to Communicate with Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy for inventory and documentation of all the studies and data on the Oral Health of the GCC and uploading the data on the website of the Commission.

Starting with Oral Health Survey project for the GCC

Executive Regulation for Dentistry ServicesMinistry of HealthKingdom of Saudi Arabia